Sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, domestic production of sunflower, safflower, and cottonseed oils in Zimbabwe increased steadily from 11 400 tonnes to 19 900 tonnes. This growth was underpinned by the Agricultural Marketing Authority's (AMA) financial facilitation, which mobilized $100 million to provide affordable financing to oilseed farmers from as early as 2018. Sunflower was concurrently promoted as a strategic, drought-tolerant crop suitable for the country's climate, encouraging greater cultivation and laying the foundation for expanded output.

Market volume peaked at 24 804 tonnes in 2020, largely due to a significant, temporary surge in imports. Following this peak, the market corrected and then stabilized around 19 000 tonnes in 2021-2022. By 2023, renewed focus on domestic capacity came to the fore. The government set a national target of 150 000 tonnes of sunflower seed output, integrated the crop into the Pfumvudza/Intwasa yield optimization program, and a major processor, Zimgold, sought to ramp up production by raising capital to procure raw materials and operate its crushing facility, contributing to the market's recovery to 21 408 tonnes.

Entering 2024, ongoing initiatives to strengthen the supply chain were evident. These included upgrades to the Grain Marketing Board's storage infrastructure in Kwekwe and dedicated research by the Department of Research and Specialist Services to develop high-yield, high-oil-content sunflower varieties. Key seed companies like Agriseeds and Seed Co Limited continued to support the sector with quality planting materials, reinforcing the domestic production base.

Production sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Zimbabwe's production of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 15 600 tonnes, marking a significant increase of 11.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production doubled, with an average annual growth rate of 26.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Zimbabwe exported 540 tonnes of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, remaining largely unchanged from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports surged by 5 882.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 291.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions were almost entirely directed to South Africa, which accounted for 98.4% of total export volumes.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Zimbabwe's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions were valued at 401 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, export value grew by 2 954.7%, with an average annual increase of 212.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the value of Zimbabwe's exports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions was heavily concentrated in South Africa, which held a 96.8% share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020

Imports sunflower, safflower or cottonseed oil and fractions to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 1 293 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2020 at 9 744 tonnes, representing a 7.5-fold difference. In 2020, imports rose by 520.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 22.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions were primarily sourced from South Africa, which made up 93.1% of total import volumes.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values displayed an unstable trend over this timeframe. The lowest point was in 2018 at 1 476 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2020 at 9 641 thousand US dollars, a 6.5-fold fluctuation. In 2020, import value increased by 486.6% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, at 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated the value of Zimbabwe's imports of sunflower, safflower, or cottonseed oil and fractions, accounting for 93.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Zimbabwe in value, 2017-2020